Registered Nurse Carmel Fish
Even the smallest NICU baby benefits from books Registered Nurse Carmel Fish knows the importance of reading to babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Having worked at Royal with them and reducing some of the stress associated with being in the NICU, but you are also supporting your baby’s brain development,” she said. “It’s a long day for parents to come and sit in the NICU with
impact on the ED, with patients surveyed stating they were very impressed with the care through ED. The emergency department’s Nurse Unit Manager, Rosalyn Ferguson, said: “The patient experience officers have had a very positive effect on all staff in the ED. They have brought to the fore the difference a positive patient experience has on all not just the patient. They are able to capture and improve the wonderful culture in this ED.” library. “We are so pleased with how many parents got involved this year, and how many books were read – it’s a fantastic initiative to encourage parents to pick up a book and read to their baby,” Carmel said. Research shows children who are read to on a regular basis when they are young are more readily able to learn to read once they start school. When hearing someone read, children learn to recognise the structure of language, learn grammar and recognise the sound of words. Children also learn to love books and stimulate their imagination. For more information visit https://bit.ly/34UtOXF
officers at Hornsby Hospital’s emergency department (ED) are changing the atmosphere for waiting patients and their families. Similar to a concierge service, Keith Moir and Rebecca Clark (pictured on the front cover) warmly greet patients and their carers when they arrive to ED. While the patient is waiting, Keith or Rebecca will explain where the amenities are, show the free mobile phone charging station and have a chat to put the patient at ease. North Shore Hospital’s NICU for the last 31 years, Carmel is a passionate advocate for parents reading to their babies in the NICU. For the last two years she has coordinated the Little Readers Read-a- thon which aims to empower parents to read to their baby every day. Carmel said while a baby is in the NICU critical brain development is occurring, including the development of the pathways in the brain that control language skills. “By reading to your baby in the NICU, you’re not only bonding
“The best part (of my role) from my point of view is that it feels like you can make an impact for the hospital and the patient,” Keith said. “Most patients are pleased that they are greeted and made to feel welcome. “We try and put the patient at ease and make them feel that they are in the best place for care. If possible, we try and get them to have a laugh and relax.” The introduction of Keith and Rebecca has had a positive their baby. Reading to your baby is an activity parents can do every day during a time where many feel helpless in an intense and stressful environment.” In this year’s Little Readers Read-a-thon, parents at the RNSH NICU read 81 different books to their babies – the third highest number for those participating across Australian hospitals and the first in the state. For its efforts, the NICU was donated 30 children’s books to help build the unit’s
Improving the patient experience at Hornsby Hospital New patient experience
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NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 21| 5 NOVEMBER 2020
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